Goaltending is once again going to be a huge question mark for Team Canada, as NHL players return to the Winter Olympics for the first time in 12 years.
With Olympic hockey rosters due on Dec. 31, there are some agonizingly difficult decisions to be made by the Team Canada braintrust of Doug Armstrong, Julien BriseBois, Jim Nill, Don Sweeney, and Kyle Dubas before the puck drops at Milano Cortina 2026 in February.
Traditionally a strength of the country, Canada was in an unfamiliar spot heading into the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, because gone are the likes of Carey Price, Roberto Luongo, or Martin Brodeur lean on. Canada turned to Jordan Binnington, who had posted a mediocre .897 save percentage heading into the tournament.
But Binnington got the job done. He started every game for Canada and was outstanding in the 4 Nations against the United States, so he’ll probably get the call again, despite some concerning play this season.
Binnington is currently splitting time with Joel Hofer, who has posted better numbers in the St. Louis Blues’ net. Binnington has just seven wins in 21 starts and has posted a .870 save percentage.
The other two goalies Canada brought to the 4 Nations are unlikely to be named to the Olympic team, as Adin Hill is injured and hasn’t played since October, while Samuel Montembeault’s struggles have been so intense that he’s currently playing in the AHL.
So expect two new goalies to join Binnington in Milan, with one of them potentially taking over the starter’s role.
So who has the edge?
Best Canadian goalies this season
The Colorado Avalanche duo of Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood have an Olympic case. Wedgewood is tied for the league lead in wins (16), while Blackwood is fourth among Canadian goalies (11). Wedgewood and Blackwood are also tied for the best save percentage (.924) among goaltenders from the Great White North.
But what Wedgewood and Blackwood have in numbers, they lack in experience.
Wedgewood, 33, was a career backup heading into this season, and has never started a playoff game at the NHL level. Blackwood is more accomplished, but the 29-year-old Thunder Bay, Ont. native has played in just one playoff series in his NHL career.
How about Logan Thompson? The 28-year-old Washington Capitals starting goalie was overlooked for the 4 Nations, but is having another strong season with a 14-9-3 record and .917 save percentage. The Calgary native has posted strong numbers in every season since he broke into the NHL in 2021, though he too doesn’t have a long playoff resume.
Thompson has 14 games of Stanley Cup Playoff experience, helping the Capitals get to the second round last season. His numbers in those high-pressure games are good, with a 7-7 record and a .918 save percentage.
Save percentage leaders among Team Canada Olympic goalie hopefuls 🍁
1. Mackenzie Blackwood (COL) .924
2. Scott Wedgewood (COL) .924
3. Logan Thompson (WSH) .917
4. Darcy Kuemper (LAK) .917
5. Jake Allen (NJD) .912
6. Jet Greaves (CBJ) .906
7. Tristan Jarry (EDM) .906— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) December 24, 2025
Darcy Kuemper also ticks a lot of boxes. The 35-year-old Los Angeles Kings goalie is 10-6-6 this season with a .917 save percentage. He’s just four years removed from winning a Stanley Cup with Colorado, and was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy last season.
The other choices come with a ton of question marks. Tristan Jarry is third among Canadian goalies in wins (12), but the new Edmonton Oilers netminder cleared waivers 11 months ago. The Surrey, B.C. native has just eight game of NHL playoff experience, too.
Stuart Skinner has plenty of big-game experience, but he’s having a terrible season. Can’t imagine Team Canada will give him the nod.
Jake Allen (.912 SV%) is having a good season statistically, but he hasn’t been a bonafide NHL starter in a few years.
Jet Greaves has been a nice story with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the 24-year-old doesn’t have the resume to warrant an Olympic spot yet.
Prediction
So who has the edge?
If management bases its decision purely on play this season, the three Canadian goalies with the most goals-saved-above-expected per 60 minutes have the best case: Blackwood, Thompson, and Kuemper.
With the Olympic roster decision one week away, here are the leaders in goals saved above expected per 60 (from @MoneyPuckdotcom) among 🇨🇦 goalies:
1. Blackwood (1.039)
2. Thompson (.870)
3. Kuemper (.714)
4. Wedgewood (.703)
5. Jarry (.658)
6. Greaves (.647)— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) December 24, 2025
Not only do those three netminders have the analytics edge this season, their experience and success in recent years should get the attention of Hockey Canada management. Each of them have played for Canada before in international competition, with Kuemper suiting up at the IIHF World Championship in 2018 and 2021, Blackwood in 2019, and Thompson in 2022.
But you can’t ignore Binnington.
If I had to guess, bet on Canada’s three goalies at Milano Cortina 2026 being Binnington, Thompson, and Kuemper.
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